Published on Monday, 30 May 2022 at 1:00:00 PM
The City of Vincent is one step closer to its commitment to the local North Perth community to return Haynes Street Reserve to parkland by funding the works through the sale of the adjoining carpark.
Council endorsed the sale of the small, underutilised carpark at 25 Sydney Street as a residential R20 lot at this month’s Ordinary Council Meeting.
Proceeds from the sale of the land will go towards converting Haynes Street Reserve (lots 31 Sydney Street and 15 Haynes Street) back into a park by funding removal of buildings and adding new park facilities, landscaping and play equipment.
Any excess funds will go into the Public Open Space Reserve and be spent on growing and improving public open space within Vincent.
Returning the Reserve to parkland was a key commitment made by Council in 2019 as a trustee to meet its obligations under A Deed of Trust over 15 Haynes Street for it to be used for public recreation.
This decision also aligns with Council’s Public Open Space Strategy which identified a deficit of parkland in North Perth.
The carpark is leased to and used by childcare centre Kidz Galore, located at 15 Haynes Street, and the Dental Health Service Clinic (Shalom Coleman), located at 31 Sydney Street but both parties have indicated that they can operate without the carpark prior to their relocation in the near future.
There are 13 carbays and one ACROD carbay on Eton Street and space for 14 cars to park parallel adjacent the kerb on the park side of Sydney and Haynes Streets.
This decision forms part of the Haynes Street Reserve Development Plan, which was adopted by Council in 2020 and contains the vision for Haynes Street Reserve on the corner of Haynes and Sydney Streets in North Perth.
As part of the transition plan, the building at 31 Sydney Street will be removed after July 2022 and converted to a park, while the buildings on 15 Haynes Street will be removed by 2025, following the planned relocation of both lease holders.
The new park will include a play space, nature play, a scooter course, basketball and netball rings, native gardens, a barbecue and picnic tables.
Image: A concept design of Haynes Street Reserve.
Mayor Emma Cole said Council endorsed the plan in 2020 and the carpark sale was the next step in the process of converting 31 Sydney Street and 15 Haynes Street back to their original recreational use for the community.
“This was a very collaborative process, working with our local community, our lease holders Kidz Galore and the dental clinic, and the Attorney General to sensitively transition this land back into a park. It was a complex situation, as we needed to meet our legal obligations under a Deed of Trust and deliver more green space in North Perth whilst ensuring the highly valued services of our lessees were not disrupted and have enough time to relocate,” she said.
“Part of the proceeds of the carpark sale will fund the transformation of the park and the local community will be able to see the direct benefit of the sale going back into new play equipment, landscaping and seating for all to enjoy.
“Vincent’s Public Open Space Strategy identified this area in North Perth as a neighbourhood that is lacking in public open space.
“There is much excitement in the community about winning back that park and recreational space. It is a beautiful, north facing and tree lined space and will be a wonderful addition to Vincent’s parklands.”
The dental clinic’s lease expires on 30 June 2022 while the childcare centre’s lease expires by 31 December 2025.
The childcare centre will be relocating to a new building on the corner of London and Haynes Streets.
Ms Cole said $360,000 had been allocated in the draft budget for the park plan but if the carpark was sold, then Council could talk about repurposing those initial funds towards other projects or savings.
CEO David MacLennan will now determine the best method of sale such as a public auction, public tender or private treaty and then appoint a real estate agent to advertise the sale.
Proceeds from the sale of the land will go towards the development of the park on Haynes Street Reserve and any excess funds will go into the Public Open Space Reserve.
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